US5687246A - Headpiece or headrest comprising a personal proximity sound rig - Google Patents

Headpiece or headrest comprising a personal proximity sound rig Download PDF

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Publication number
US5687246A
US5687246A US08/633,411 US63341196A US5687246A US 5687246 A US5687246 A US 5687246A US 63341196 A US63341196 A US 63341196A US 5687246 A US5687246 A US 5687246A
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Prior art keywords
sound
listener
pad
headpiece
emission
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Expired - Fee Related
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US08/633,411
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Paul Lancon
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to FR9315194A priority Critical patent/FR2713867B1/en
Priority claimed from FR9315194A external-priority patent/FR2713867B1/en
Priority to FR9415213A priority patent/FR2713868B1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US08/633,411 priority patent/US5687246A/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R5/00—Stereophonic arrangements
    • H04R5/02—Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
    • H04R5/023—Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers in a chair, pillow
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/80—Head-rests
    • B60N2/806—Head-rests movable or adjustable
    • B60N2/809—Head-rests movable or adjustable vertically slidable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/80—Head-rests
    • B60N2/879—Head-rests with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • B60R11/0217—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for loud-speakers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
    • B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
    • B60R2011/0012—Seats or parts thereof
    • B60R2011/0017—Head-rests
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
    • B60R2011/0043—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a headpiece or headrest in relation to the head of a listener, which includes or has built-in a personal proximity sound rig system or assembly.
  • Personal proximity sound rig is understood to mean any solution or means making it possible to replace a conventional audio headset, placed on the ears of a listener. It is, more particularly, a sound emission system, placed in the immediate vicinity of the head of the listener, without necessarily being in contact therewith, and consequently leaving the said head free for any movement.
  • WO-A-9301951 a headpiece or headrest equipped with a personal proximity sound rig has already been described and proposed, and includes:
  • a rigid and flat support consisting of a substantially rectangular plate, mounted in an orientable manner on a mount
  • a pad consisting in essence of a flexible bulk elastic material mounted and enveloping the aforesaid flat support; this pad forms a block of rounded contour arranged solely to the rear of the head of the listener.
  • Two sound transmission channels are arranged and built into the aforesaid pad, on either side of the flat support, that is to say on the two sides respectively of the latter.
  • Each sound transmission channel comprises:
  • an electromagnetic transducer especially a loudspeaker, transforming an electrical signal into a sound wave, which is fixed on the flat support and includes in the conventional manner at the front a vibratory diaphragm for emitting sound, about an axis and along a direction of emission
  • this short duct has a uniform flow cross-section whose value is less than the apparent area of the sound emission diaphragm, viewed on the axis of emission.
  • the two transducers or loudspeakers are arranged to the rear, with their sound emission axes parallel to one another and to the mid-plane of the head of the said listener, and on the other hand the direction of sound emission of the two transducers points towards the front of the head of the said listener.
  • the two sound ducts are straight and substantially parallel to the aforesaid mid-plane of the head of the said listener.
  • the two emission ends of the two transmission channels respectively are arranged in a plane located some distance and to the rear of the head of the listener, thus precluding optimum sound reproduction, in an outside environment which may perhaps also be noisy.
  • sound diffusion is not limited and circumscribes the listener.
  • a headpiece or headrest with a personal proximity sound rig, has been described or proposed which comprises a pad devised so as partly to surround the head of the listener, and for this purpose it includes a central part and two substantially parallel lateral parts, turned back, on either side respectively of the head of the said listener.
  • Two electromagnetic transducers, namely two loudspeakers are arranged directly in the two lateral parts of the pad respectively, substantially in line with and in proximity to the two ears respectively of the listener, without contact with them.
  • the loudspeakers need to have a vibratory diaphragm with a relatively large apparent area, and hence be of relatively significant size and weight, thus making them impossible to install and build into the pad of the headrest, or even into the seat to which the said headrest belongs.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy all of these drawbacks. More particularly, the subject of the invention is a headpiece or headrest, equipped with a personal proximity sound rig, affording conditions of optimum emission, together with good quality of sound reproduction.
  • the present invention stems from two arrangements, one cooperating with the other:
  • the pad of the headpiece or headrest is positioned so as partly to surround the head of the listener, and for this purpose includes a central part and two substantially parallel lateral parts, turned back, respectively on either side of the head of the listener,
  • the two transducers are arranged in the central part of the headpiece or headrest, whereas the two sound ducts of the two transmission channels respectively run within the two lateral parts, each with a terminal bend so as to bring the two emission ends of the said sound ducts substantially in line with and in proximity to the two ears of the listener, without contact with them.
  • the present invention makes it possible, in particular to afford the optimum location of the emission points, by using loudspeakers with dimensions sufficient for good quality sound reproduction, and by maintaining the absence of hard materials at the emission points and with relatively small dimensions of the device.
  • FIG. 1 represents, schematically in horizontal section, a headpiece or headrest according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 represents the same headrest, in a vertical section through its middle.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 the head of the listener is represented chain-dotted, as is the main part of the seat to which the headrest according to the invention belongs (FIG. 2).
  • the headpiece or headrest (40) belongs to or is built into a seat represented schematically by the numerical reference 30. More precisely, this headrest is arranged vertically and above the seat (30) possibly in a manner whereby its height can be adjusted with respect to the latter.
  • This headpiece or headrest (40), for the head of the listener (13), comprises a rigid support (2), having the shape of a compartmentalized shell, as well as a pad (20), made entirely from a flexible bulk elastic material, for example a synthetic foam, in two complementary parts (20a and 20b), the one fitting into the other, and on to the rigid support (2) to which they are fixed.
  • a rigid support (2) having the shape of a compartmentalized shell, as well as a pad (20), made entirely from a flexible bulk elastic material, for example a synthetic foam, in two complementary parts (20a and 20b), the one fitting into the other, and on to the rigid support (2) to which they are fixed.
  • the pad (20) is positioned so as partly to surround the head of the listener, and includes for this purpose a central part (11) supporting the head of the listener (13) from the rear, and two substantially parallel lateral parts (12), turned back, respectively on either side of the head (13) of the said listener.
  • the personal proximity sound rig system built into the headrest (40), comprises two sound transmission channel (a, b), of stereophonic type for example, built into or included within the pad (20).
  • Each sound transmission channel (a, b) comprises:
  • Hermetic is understood to mean any arrangement which confers upon the anterior cavities (7a, 7b), and upon the sound ducts (4a, 4b), with respect to the said cavities respectively, relative or significant tightness in relation to the sound waves transmitted in the two channels (a and b) respectively.
  • the two transducers (3a, 3b) are arranged in the central part (11) of the headpiece (40), and the two sound ducts (4a, 4b) run within the two lateral parts (12) of the pad (20) respectively, alongside the head of the listener (13), and each with a terminal bend (43a, 43b) so as to bring the two emission ends (42a, 42b) substantially in line with and in proximity to the two ears (14) of the listener (13), without contact with them.
  • Each sound duct (4a, 4b) has a flow cross-section whose minimum value is less than the apparent area of the corresponding diaphragm (5a, 5b), viewed on the sound emission axis (6a, 6b). This minimum value is at most equal to half of the apparent area of the diaphragm of each transducer (3a, 3b) and preferably between a quarter and a half of the said apparent area.
  • the emission diaphragm (5a, 5b) of each sound transducer (3a, 3b) of each sound transducer (3a, 3b), has an apparent area at least equal to 0.125 dm 2 , thus making it possible, in cooperation with the previously defined described arrangements to obtain a sound reproduction of good quality in the low registers, and which consequently is virtually linear over a significant part of the sound spectrum.
  • the pad (20) creates two posterior cavities (8a, 8b), in which the transducers (3a, 3b) respectively are arranged in part.
  • each sound duct includes at least one interior layer of a flexible and bulk elastic material of the pad, thus making it possible to damp or absorb the unwanted vibrations to which the headrest or headpiece is subjected.
  • the two emission ends (42a, 42b) each have a concave profile, the concavity of which is directed towards an ear (14) of the listener (13).
  • the two emission ends (42a, 42b) of the two sound ducts (4a, 4b) are located on the axis, or slightly off the axis of the two ears (14) of the listener (13).
  • the two transducers (3a, 3b) have emission axes (6a, 6b) directed similarly to that of the head (13), and correspondingly the sound duct (4a, 4b) of each transmission channel has another bend (44a, 44b) for passage from the rear to the side of the head of the listener.
  • the direction of emission of the two transducers (3a, 3b) points towards the rear of the head of the listener (13).

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)
  • Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)

Abstract

Headpiece with a personal proximity sound rig, comprising a rigid support (2), a pad (20) mounted on the support, with a rest part for the rear of the head of the listener, and two sound transmission channels (a) (b) built into the pad on either side of the support, and each comprising at least one electromagnetic transducer (3a, 3b), especially a loudspeaker, transforming an electrical signal into a sound wave, the pad (20) creating, together with the diaphragm, a substantially hermetic anterior cavity (7a, 7b), and at least one sound duct (4a, 4b) positioned with respect to the transducer, running from a sound wave reception end, emerging in a substantially hermetic manner into the cavity (7a, 7b), to an emission end (42a, 42b), the duct having a flow cross-section whose minimum value is less than the apparent area of the diaphragm of the transducer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a headpiece or headrest in relation to the head of a listener, which includes or has built-in a personal proximity sound rig system or assembly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
"Personal proximity sound rig" is understood to mean any solution or means making it possible to replace a conventional audio headset, placed on the ears of a listener. It is, more particularly, a sound emission system, placed in the immediate vicinity of the head of the listener, without necessarily being in contact therewith, and consequently leaving the said head free for any movement.
In accordance with the document, WO-A-9301951, a headpiece or headrest equipped with a personal proximity sound rig has already been described and proposed, and includes:
a rigid and flat support, consisting of a substantially rectangular plate, mounted in an orientable manner on a mount
a pad, consisting in essence of a flexible bulk elastic material mounted and enveloping the aforesaid flat support; this pad forms a block of rounded contour arranged solely to the rear of the head of the listener.
Two sound transmission channels are arranged and built into the aforesaid pad, on either side of the flat support, that is to say on the two sides respectively of the latter.
Each sound transmission channel comprises:
an electromagnetic transducer, especially a loudspeaker, transforming an electrical signal into a sound wave, which is fixed on the flat support and includes in the conventional manner at the front a vibratory diaphragm for emitting sound, about an axis and along a direction of emission
the pad creating, together with the diaphragm of the transducer, a substantially hermetic anterior cavity
a straight sound duct, positioned with respect to the transducer, so as to conduct the sound wave from the anterior cavity, and running for this purpose from a reception end for the said sound wave, emerging in a substantially hermetic manner into the aforesaid cavity, to an emission end pointing towards the rear of the head of the listener; this short duct has a uniform flow cross-section whose value is less than the apparent area of the sound emission diaphragm, viewed on the axis of emission.
Consequently, in accordance with the document WO/A/9301951, with respect to the head of the listener, on the one hand the two transducers or loudspeakers are arranged to the rear, with their sound emission axes parallel to one another and to the mid-plane of the head of the said listener, and on the other hand the direction of sound emission of the two transducers points towards the front of the head of the said listener. In particular, the two sound ducts are straight and substantially parallel to the aforesaid mid-plane of the head of the said listener.
As a consequence, the two emission ends of the two transmission channels respectively are arranged in a plane located some distance and to the rear of the head of the listener, thus precluding optimum sound reproduction, in an outside environment which may perhaps also be noisy. Moreover, sound diffusion is not limited and circumscribes the listener.
In accordance with document US-A-440443, a headpiece or headrest, with a personal proximity sound rig, has been described or proposed which comprises a pad devised so as partly to surround the head of the listener, and for this purpose it includes a central part and two substantially parallel lateral parts, turned back, on either side respectively of the head of the said listener. Two electromagnetic transducers, namely two loudspeakers are arranged directly in the two lateral parts of the pad respectively, substantially in line with and in proximity to the two ears respectively of the listener, without contact with them.
In practice, if it is desired to obtain, in the region of the ears of the listener, sound reproduction with a relatively linear passband over virtually the whole of the sound spectrum, the loudspeakers need to have a vibratory diaphragm with a relatively large apparent area, and hence be of relatively significant size and weight, thus making them impossible to install and build into the pad of the headrest, or even into the seat to which the said headrest belongs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to remedy all of these drawbacks. More particularly, the subject of the invention is a headpiece or headrest, equipped with a personal proximity sound rig, affording conditions of optimum emission, together with good quality of sound reproduction.
The present invention stems from two arrangements, one cooperating with the other:
on the one hand, the pad of the headpiece or headrest is positioned so as partly to surround the head of the listener, and for this purpose includes a central part and two substantially parallel lateral parts, turned back, respectively on either side of the head of the listener,
and on the other hand, the two transducers are arranged in the central part of the headpiece or headrest, whereas the two sound ducts of the two transmission channels respectively run within the two lateral parts, each with a terminal bend so as to bring the two emission ends of the said sound ducts substantially in line with and in proximity to the two ears of the listener, without contact with them.
The present invention makes it possible, in particular to afford the optimum location of the emission points, by using loudspeakers with dimensions sufficient for good quality sound reproduction, and by maintaining the absence of hard materials at the emission points and with relatively small dimensions of the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is now described with reference to the appended drawing in which:
FIG. 1 represents, schematically in horizontal section, a headpiece or headrest according to the present invention
FIG. 2 represents the same headrest, in a vertical section through its middle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIGS. 1 and 2, the head of the listener is represented chain-dotted, as is the main part of the seat to which the headrest according to the invention belongs (FIG. 2).
In accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2, under the numerical references 13 and 14, are represented respectively the head of the listener and his two ears.
The headpiece or headrest (40) according to the invention belongs to or is built into a seat represented schematically by the numerical reference 30. More precisely, this headrest is arranged vertically and above the seat (30) possibly in a manner whereby its height can be adjusted with respect to the latter.
This headpiece or headrest (40), for the head of the listener (13), comprises a rigid support (2), having the shape of a compartmentalized shell, as well as a pad (20), made entirely from a flexible bulk elastic material, for example a synthetic foam, in two complementary parts (20a and 20b), the one fitting into the other, and on to the rigid support (2) to which they are fixed.
As FIG. 1 shows, the pad (20) is positioned so as partly to surround the head of the listener, and includes for this purpose a central part (11) supporting the head of the listener (13) from the rear, and two substantially parallel lateral parts (12), turned back, respectively on either side of the head (13) of the said listener.
The personal proximity sound rig system, built into the headrest (40), comprises two sound transmission channel (a, b), of stereophonic type for example, built into or included within the pad (20).
Each sound transmission channel (a, b) comprises:
at least one electromagnetic transducer (3a, 3b), especially a loudspeaker, transforming an electrical signal into a sound wave, which is fixed on the support and includes in the conventional manner a vibratory diaphragm (5a, 5b) for emitting sound about an axis of emission (6a, 6b).
an anterior cavity (7a, 7b), created directly in the flexible material of the pad 20, which is substantially hermetic with respect to the diaphragm (5a, 5b)
at least one sound duct (4a, 4b), obtained directly in the flexible material of the pad (20), and positioned with respect to the transducer (3a, 3b), running in an overall manner from a sound wave reception end, which emerges in a substantially hermetic manner into the anterior cavity (7a, 7b), to an emission end (42a, 42b).
"Hermetic" is understood to mean any arrangement which confers upon the anterior cavities (7a, 7b), and upon the sound ducts (4a, 4b), with respect to the said cavities respectively, relative or significant tightness in relation to the sound waves transmitted in the two channels (a and b) respectively.
The two transducers (3a, 3b) are arranged in the central part (11) of the headpiece (40), and the two sound ducts (4a, 4b) run within the two lateral parts (12) of the pad (20) respectively, alongside the head of the listener (13), and each with a terminal bend (43a, 43b) so as to bring the two emission ends (42a, 42b) substantially in line with and in proximity to the two ears (14) of the listener (13), without contact with them.
Each sound duct (4a, 4b) has a flow cross-section whose minimum value is less than the apparent area of the corresponding diaphragm (5a, 5b), viewed on the sound emission axis (6a, 6b). This minimum value is at most equal to half of the apparent area of the diaphragm of each transducer (3a, 3b) and preferably between a quarter and a half of the said apparent area.
Preferably, the emission diaphragm (5a, 5b) of each sound transducer (3a, 3b), has an apparent area at least equal to 0.125 dm2, thus making it possible, in cooperation with the previously defined described arrangements to obtain a sound reproduction of good quality in the low registers, and which consequently is virtually linear over a significant part of the sound spectrum.
As FIG. 1 shows, the pad (20) creates two posterior cavities (8a, 8b), in which the transducers (3a, 3b) respectively are arranged in part.
As the sound ducts (4a, 4b) are obtained directly within the flexible bulk elastic material of the pad, on the one hand the emission end (42a, 42b) of each said duct emerges into this same flexible material, thus avoiding injury to the head of the listener in the event of lateral contact with the pad (20), and on the other hand, each sound duct includes at least one interior layer of a flexible and bulk elastic material of the pad, thus making it possible to damp or absorb the unwanted vibrations to which the headrest or headpiece is subjected.
In a manner which is not represented, the two emission ends (42a, 42b) each have a concave profile, the concavity of which is directed towards an ear (14) of the listener (13).
The two emission ends (42a, 42b) of the two sound ducts (4a, 4b) are located on the axis, or slightly off the axis of the two ears (14) of the listener (13).
The two transducers (3a, 3b) have emission axes (6a, 6b) directed similarly to that of the head (13), and correspondingly the sound duct (4a, 4b) of each transmission channel has another bend (44a, 44b) for passage from the rear to the side of the head of the listener.
By way of example, the direction of emission of the two transducers (3a, 3b) points towards the rear of the head of the listener (13).

Claims (15)

I claim:
1. Headpiece or headrest for a listener together with a personal proximity sound rig, comprising a rigid support, a pad mounted on said support, with a rest part of said pad for the rear of the head of said listener, and two sound transmission channels built into said pad on either side of the support, and each of said two sound transmission channels comprising:
at least one electromagnetic transducer comprising a loudspeaker for transforming an electrical signal into a sound wave, said loudspeaker is fixed on said support and includes a vibratory diaphragm for emitting sound about an axis of emission;
the pad creating, together with the diaphragm, a substantially hermetic anterior cavity; and
at least one sound duct positioned with respect to the transducer, running from a sound wave reception end, emerging in a substantially hermetic manner into said cavity, to an emission end, said duct having a flow cross-section whose minimum value is less than the apparent area of the diaphragm, viewed on the axis of emission, characterized in that the pad is positioned so as partly to surround the head of the listener, and includes a central part and two substantially parallel lateral parts on either side of the head of the listener, the two transducers are arranged in the central part of the headpiece, and the two sound ducts run within the two lateral parts, each of said two sound ducts with a terminal bend so as to bring the two emission ends substantially in line with and in proximity to the two ears of the listener, without contact with the ears of the listener.
2. Headpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the diaphragm of each of the two sound transducers has an apparent area at least equal to 0.125 dm2.
3. Headpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the minimum value of the flow cross-section of the sound duct of each of said sound transmission channels is at most equal to half of the apparent area of the diaphragm of each of said transducers.
4. Headpiece according to claim 3, characterized in that the minimum value of the flow cross-section of the sound duct of each of said sound transmission channels is between a quarter and a half of said apparent area.
5. Headpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that, for each of said sound transmission channels, a posterior cavity is created in the pad, in which the transducer is arranged.
6. Headpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that, for each of said sound transmission channels, the emission end of the sound duct emerges into a flexible, bulk elastic material of the pad.
7. Headpiece according to claim 6, characterized in that the flexible, bulk elastic material comprises a synthetic foam.
8. Headpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that, for each of said sound transmission channels, the wall of the sound duct comprises at least one interior layer of a flexible, bulk elastic material of the pad.
9. Headpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that, for each of said sound transmission channels, the emission end has a concave profile, the concavity of the concave profile is directed towards the ears of the listener.
10. Headpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that, the two emission ends of the two sound ducts are located on an axis, or slightly off an axis of the two ears of the listener.
11. Headpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the axes of emission of the two transducers are directed similarly to the head of the listener, and the sound duct of each of said transmission channels has another bend for passage from the rear to the side of the head of the listener.
12. Headpiece according to claim 11, characterized in that the direction of the axes of emission of the two transducers points towards the rear of the head of the listener.
13. Headpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the pad is made from a flexible, bulk elastic material in which the two anterior cavities and the two sound ducts are created directly.
14. Headpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the pad is made in two complementary parts, one fitting into the other, and the pad fitting on to the rigid support.
15. Headpiece according to claim 1 characterized in that the headpiece comprises a personal seat.
US08/633,411 1993-12-13 1996-06-10 Headpiece or headrest comprising a personal proximity sound rig Expired - Fee Related US5687246A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9315194A FR2713867B1 (en) 1993-12-13 1993-12-13 Device for the production of an individual proximity sound system.
FR9415213A FR2713868B1 (en) 1993-12-13 1994-12-13 Headrest or headrest including individual proximity sound system.
US08/633,411 US5687246A (en) 1993-12-13 1996-06-10 Headpiece or headrest comprising a personal proximity sound rig

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9315194A FR2713867B1 (en) 1993-12-13 1993-12-13 Device for the production of an individual proximity sound system.
FR9415213A FR2713868B1 (en) 1993-12-13 1994-12-13 Headrest or headrest including individual proximity sound system.
US08/633,411 US5687246A (en) 1993-12-13 1996-06-10 Headpiece or headrest comprising a personal proximity sound rig

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US5687246A true US5687246A (en) 1997-11-11

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FR (1) FR2713868B1 (en)

Cited By (35)

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US5887071A (en) * 1996-08-07 1999-03-23 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Dipole speaker headrests
GB2336501A (en) * 1998-04-17 1999-10-20 Leslie Kettley Personal audio listening device
EP1179968A2 (en) * 2000-08-10 2002-02-13 Shima System Co., Ltd. Structure around a speaker unit
US6467103B1 (en) 2001-04-12 2002-10-22 Saratoga Spa & Bath Co., Inc. Sound transmission system and illumination system for a tub, spa, pool, bath or shower
US20030152245A1 (en) * 2002-02-08 2003-08-14 Pioneer Corporation Chair equipped with a speaker
US20030183444A1 (en) * 2002-03-26 2003-10-02 Glenn Cass Sub-woofer system for use in vehicle
US20030235320A1 (en) * 2002-06-24 2003-12-25 Hirschhorn Bruce D. Personal audio visual system
US6681024B2 (en) * 1997-08-05 2004-01-20 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Device including a built-in electroacoustic transducer for optimum speech reproduction
US20040016051A1 (en) * 2001-04-12 2004-01-29 Saratoga Spa & Bath Co., Inc. Sound system and a head rest for a spa and a spa having a sound system
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US7940937B2 (en) * 1999-10-28 2011-05-10 Clive Smith Transducer for sensing body sounds
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US7466832B2 (en) 2002-07-31 2008-12-16 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Seatback audio controller
US20040021351A1 (en) * 2002-07-31 2004-02-05 House William Neal Seatback audio controller
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NL1025315C2 (en) 2004-01-23 2005-07-26 Tno Method and means for the emission of an air flow in the direction of the breath of a user.
FR2866846A1 (en) * 2004-03-01 2005-09-02 Faurecia Sieges Automobile Motor vehicle occupant head position detecting system, has two sensors integrated in headrest and providing respective signals representative of two different ranges, where one range is lower than another range
US20090067657A1 (en) * 2005-03-30 2009-03-12 Pioneer Corporation Speaker-embeddable seat and personal audio system
US20070189566A1 (en) * 2006-02-16 2007-08-16 Makoto Yamagishi Speaker apparatus
US8254613B2 (en) * 2006-02-16 2012-08-28 Sony Corporation Speaker apparatus
US20070240258A1 (en) * 2006-03-16 2007-10-18 Jacuzzi, Inc. Pillow with radio
US20090127020A1 (en) * 2007-11-17 2009-05-21 Connor Robert A Acoustically transmissive blanket system
US7861821B2 (en) * 2007-11-17 2011-01-04 Connor Robert A Acoustically transmissive blanket system
US9088842B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-07-21 Bose Corporation Grille for electroacoustic transducer
US11039232B2 (en) 2013-05-07 2021-06-15 Metime Audio, Llc Chair mountable audio and charging system for mobile and portable electronic devices
US9327628B2 (en) 2013-05-31 2016-05-03 Bose Corporation Automobile headrest
US9699537B2 (en) 2014-01-14 2017-07-04 Bose Corporation Vehicle headrest with speakers
CN109070782B (en) * 2016-03-17 2021-06-08 伯斯有限公司 Acoustic output through headrest wings
US10899261B2 (en) 2016-03-17 2021-01-26 Bose Corporation Acoustic output through headrest wings
CN109070782A (en) * 2016-03-17 2018-12-21 伯斯有限公司 Acoustic output is carried out by headrest alar part
US10239432B2 (en) * 2016-03-17 2019-03-26 Bose Corporation Acoustic output through headrest wings
US20170267138A1 (en) * 2016-03-17 2017-09-21 Bose Corporation Acoustic Output Through Headrest Wings
WO2017161472A1 (en) * 2016-03-19 2017-09-28 汉得利（常州）电子股份有限公司 Novel vehicle-mounted vibration and radiation headrest surrounding sound system
CN105835734A (en) * 2016-03-19 2016-08-10 汉得利（常州）电子股份有限公司 Novel vehicle-mounted vibration and radiation headrest surrounding sound system
EP3439322A1 (en) * 2017-08-03 2019-02-06 Facebook Technologies, LLC Audio output assembly for a head-mounted display
US20190039492A1 (en) * 2017-08-04 2019-02-07 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Headrest with speakers
US10994643B2 (en) * 2017-08-04 2021-05-04 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Headrest with speakers
JP2019126029A (en) * 2018-01-12 2019-07-25 ハーマン インターナショナル インダストリーズ インコーポレイテッド Audio directing loudspeaker grill
US20200247295A1 (en) * 2019-02-04 2020-08-06 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Vehicle head restraint incorporating speakers
JP2020203673A (en) * 2019-06-18 2020-12-24 フォルシア・シエジュ・ドトモビル Headrest for vehicle seat with integrated speaker
CN112092700A (en) * 2019-06-18 2020-12-18 佛吉亚汽车座椅公司 Headrest with integrated speaker for a vehicle seat
US20220286764A1 (en) * 2020-01-21 2022-09-08 Panasonic Automotive Systems Company Of America, Division Of Panasonic Corporation Of North America Near to the ear subwoofer
US11647316B2 (en) * 2020-01-21 2023-05-09 Panasonic Automotive Systems Company Of America, Division Of Panasonic Corporation Of North America Near to the ear subwoofer
US20230254615A1 (en) * 2020-01-21 2023-08-10 Panasonic Automotive Systems Company Of America, Division Of Panasonic Corporation Of North America Near to the ear subwoofer
US11889250B2 (en) * 2020-01-21 2024-01-30 Panasonic Automotive Systems Company Of America, Division Of Panasonic Corporation Of North America Near to the ear subwoofer
US11584276B2 (en) * 2020-04-29 2023-02-21 Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile Headrest for a vehicle seat and associated seat
US20220108678A1 (en) * 2020-10-05 2022-04-07 Lear Corporation Vehicle Seats That Include Sound Cancelation Systems
US11691552B2 (en) * 2020-10-05 2023-07-04 Lear Corporation Vehicle seats that include sound cancelation systems

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